Welcome Dr. Dan Higgins

The Appleton office would like to welcome Dr. Dan Higgins to our clinic as of 1/2/2020.
He will be working Monday 7-6, Tuesday 8-5, Wednesday 2-6, Thursday 8-5, and Friday 7-5.
He is accepting new patients.

Per Dr. Dan--

I became a chiropractor because as a multiple sport athlete throughout my youth, I learned the benefits of chiropractic first hand. When a broken leg—suffered at the end of the football season—threatened to sideline me for a good portion of the upcoming basketball season, my chiropractor came to the rescue. He worked closely with my orthopedist and cut the normal rehab time in half. His care for me made all the difference, inspiring me to want to do the same for others.

Dr. Dan is delighted to be back in Appleton to raise his family in the same city in which he grew up.  He loves spending time with his wife, son and extended family and friends.  Outside the office, you may find him at the YMCA, coaching football or basketball, or tailgating at Packer or Badger games.  He also enjoys catching the occasional show at the PAC downtown.

Backpack Safety

ACA's Backpack Safety Checklist

One of the fundamental pieces of any back to school ensemble is, of course, the backpack, and although they’re practical, backpacks are a leading cause of back and shoulder pain for millions of children and adolescents.  As students head back to school, the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) offers parents advice on preventing unnecessary backpack pain and injuries.

The ACA offers the following checklist to help parents select the best possible backpack for their children:

• Is the backpack the correct size for your child?  The backpack should never be wider or longer than your child’s torso, and the pack should not hang more than 4 inches below the waistline. A backpack that hangs too low increases the weight on the shoulders, causing your child to lean forward when walking.
• Does the backpack have two wide, padded shoulder straps?  Non-padded straps are not only uncomfortable, but also they can place unnecessary pressure on the neck and shoulder muscles.
• Does your child use both straps? Lugging a heavy backpack by one strap can cause a disproportionate shift of weight to one side, leading to neck and muscle spasms, low-back pain, and poor posture.
• Are the shoulder straps adjustable?  The shoulder straps should be adjustable so the backpack can be fitted to your child’s body. The backpack should be evenly centered in the middle of your child's back.
• Does the backpack have a padded back?  A padded back not only provides increased comfort, but also protects your child from being poked by sharp edges on school supplies (pencils, rulers, notebooks, etc.) inside the pack.
• Does the pack have several compartments?  A backpack with individualized compartments helps position the contents most effectively. Make sure that pointy or bulky objects are packed away from the area that will rest on your child's back, and try to place the heaviest items closet to the body.

The ACA recommends that parents or guardians help children pack their backpacks properly, and they should make sure children never carry more than 10 percent of their body weight.  For example, a child who weighs 100 pounds shouldn’t carry a backpack heavier than 10 pounds, and a 50-pound child shouldn’t carry more than 5 pounds.
In addition, parents should ask their children to report any pain or other problems resulting from carrying a backpack. If the pain is severe or persistent, seek care from a doctor of chiropractic or other health care professional. 

New Service Now Available!

Dr. Will Curtis is now offering cupping as an additional therapy available at the Appleton office.  For those who have never heard of cupping, Dr. Will offers an explanation and demonstration in the video shown below.

We are excited to have this additional tool in our practice!

How to Walk on the Ice - Without Falling!

Many of the sidewalks and parking lots are covered in ice after the last few snow storms.  Even if they are plowed or shoveled, there may still be a layer of ice underneath.  Here are a few tips to help you navigate the slippery surfaces safely:

• Tread carefully until you know if there is ice underneath that thin layer of snow.  A little bit of exploratory walking will help you determine if you can walk normally or not.
• Keep your hands out of your pockets while walking on slippery surfaces so you can use your arms for balance.
• Walk on the southern portions of sidewalks and parking lots as the sun may have melted any ice in those areas.
• Walk like a penguin!  Spread your feet out, put your arms out for balance, and take small steps.
• Using small shuffling steps to keep both feet on the ground.  This will give you better balance and traction.
• Use handrails on steps and consider taking them one at a time if they are icy.
• If you find yourself falling, try to fall to your side, having most of the fall absorbed by your thigh, hip or shoulder. Keep relaxed and and try not to stick out your arm to avoid breaking your wrist or arm.

Should all of the above fail and you find yourself injured by a fall on the ice, rest assured we are here to help!

Shoveling Alert!

Proper technique for pain free snow removal ahead!

Ergonomics and proper lifting technique for snow removal are very important for avoiding injury and low back aggravation.

First and foremost, if you have access to or have a neighbor with a snow blower, please use it.   It will save both your back and time when it comes to snow removal.

If you don’t have access to a snow blower, here are some things to keep in mind when shoveling:

1.       Shoveling is exercise, prepare accordingly (Warm up, don’t overdo it, listen to your body, etc.)

2.       Take breaks as needed and break the job up over time.

3.       Keep your core lightly engaged (squeezed) to help stabilize the spine.

4.       Shoveling is LIFTING and lifting requires proper ergonomics

5.       Bend at the waist and hips, your legs are much stronger than your low back.

6.       Avoid throwing the snow far distances and use more of a push method.

7.       If your low back starts to become tight and bothersome, stop and rest.

8.       If you notice discomfort upon waking the next morning you may have over done it and could benefit from a chiropractic adjustment to stop further aggravation.

Happy shoveling!

Will Curtis DC

June 20 at 10:16 AM · 

Yesterday I made my first attempt at "No Sit Tuesday". Driving in the car was tough to say the least. (No I didn't stand in the car.) What I did do however, was stand all day at work and then perform all my normal duties that would require sitting at a desk or doing notes in the seated position, standing. Fortunately I am blessed with a very active job but what I didn't realize is how much I do end up sitting throughout the day.

I CHALLENGE you👉 to choose to perform one activity today that you would normally do sitting and stand instead.

Sitting in a nutshell contributes to:

1) Shortened (tight) hip flexors

2) Deactivated (Weak/turned off) gluteus musculature 

3) Increased lumbar intradiscal pressure

4) Increased incidence of pelvic/lumbar misalignment

Our bodies are creatures of habit just like our minds, they don't like change. If you sit all day, your body thinks that is it's normal position and then 👆 happens.

Give "No Sit Tuesday" a try and for extra credit mix in some hip flexor stretching and glute activation exercises throughout your day.

Also, Follow/Friend request Will Curtis DC on Facebook for more helpful lifestlyes tips.

As always,
A body in motion, stays in motion

Bird Dog

Glute Bridge

Hip Flexor Stretch

Postural Reset Seminars

What are Upper Crossed Syndrome and Lower Crossed Syndrome?

Join Dr. Will Curtis on Thursday, March 15th and Thursday, March 29th to learn about two of the most common postural related syndromes affecting people today.  Dr. Curtis will be presenting a two part series discussing the causes of Upper Crossed Syndrome (UCS) and Lower Crossed Syndrome (LCS).  He will break down the causes of these two syndromes, demonstrate his favorite exercises/stretches for each issue, and discuss treatment protocols.  There is no need for any scientific background or knowledge as seminar will focus on easy to understand terms and descriptions.

The whole family is welcome and everyone can benefit from this information - especially teenagers who are constantly on their cellphones! The talks begin at 5:30 and will last 30-45 minutes with time for questions at the end.  This is also a great opportunity to learn more about chiropractic!

Seminar highlights and benefits:

• Learn the most common posture related mistakes people make each and every day
• Stop dealing with constant low grade pain
• End the daily headaches
• Decrease muscle tension and tightness
• Increase range of motion
• Learn the proper exercises and stretches for the upper and lower back that will help you lead a more healthy, pain free life.
• Learn how to RESET your posture

You can sign up for one or both of these free seminars by calling 920-738-0200, emailing patientservices@schubbeappleton.com or registering online here

Lumbar Disc Degeneration

Lumbar disc degeneration is exceptionally common. It affects up to 16% of 20-year olds with an age-related progression involving 80% of patients over age 40, and 98% of those over 70.

There are many factors at play when it comes to lumbar disc degeneration and each person is unique. Genetics play a large role in the progression of disc degeneration as well as activity level, nutrition, biomechanical stressors and posture. Proper joint motion throughout the spine is essential for maintaining disc health and mitigating disc degeneration. So what can you do today to help yourself move better, feel better and help mitigate lumbar disc degeneration?

First and foremost get adjusted!

·         Proper joint motion throughout the spine is essential for nutrient diffusion and mitigating age-related degenerative changes

Eat right!

·         Providing the discs with the proper building blocks necessary to maintain height and fluid is very important (Examples: Increasing Omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin C and glucosamine sulfate)

Get up and Move!

·         If you work at a desk or are sedentary most of your day, positional changes every hour along with light stretching can help increase blood flow and provide the motion necessary for nutrient diffuse into your discs.

Dr. Will would love to help you reach all your health goals as well as maintain and perform at your highest ability. Weather that means helping you achieve performance goals as an athlete or just having the ability to bend all the way over to get your socks on in the morning! 

Chiropractic Care of the Upper Back

There are many sources of dysfunction in the upper back (thoracic spine) especially when we consider the numerous joints and the interlacing of muscles that comprise the thoracic spine and rib cage. If one muscle or joint is injured or inflamed, it can create a cascade of pain and dysfunction that can be difficult to treat.

Chiropractic treatment and upper back pain

The mid and upper back is known as the thoracic spine, it is the largest portion of the spine, consisting of 12 of the 25 spinal bones (vertebrae). In comparison the neck (cervical spine ) has 7 vertebrae while the lower back (lumbar spine) has 5 vertebrae articulate with ribs and together protect the thorax, hence the name, thoracic spine.

Upper back pain is a phenomenon that affects all age groups. Upper back pain while common receives much less attention than neck and lower back pain.

Thoracic disc herniation

Due to the limited motion in the thoracic spine, caused by the bony barrier of the ribs, Thoracic disc herniations are relatively rare. But when they do occur, they can create much pain and dysfunction.

Whenever practical and safe, conservative (nonsurgical) care, such as chiropractic, is advisable prior to the use of more invasive procedures, such as spinal injections or surgery.

The goal of the chiropractic treatment of thoracic disc herniation is to reduce pain and dysfunction while the body heals itself.

Since most disc extrusions naturally regress in a few months, chiropractors will attempt to reduce the pain and pressure caused by the disc herniation.

Some chiropractors will recommend nutritional support to reduce the pain and swelling associated with a disc herniation.

Myofascial pain syndrome

Fascia is a layer of connective tissue that contributes to the supportive structure of the spine and musculoskeletal system. The fascia invests or surrounds the muscles and allows for the smooth gliding of one muscle upon another. Investing fascia helps to prevent muscles from adhering to each other.

With injury, chronic postural stress or overuse, myofascial trigger points or myfascual adhesions may develop – all commonly referred to as myofascial pain syndrome.

Chiropractors treat myofascial pain syndromes such as myofascial trigger points or adhesions with manual myofascial therapy. This therapy normally includes the use of direct pressure upon the trigger point, or the use of active anchor and stretch myofascial release techniques.

Joint dysfunction

The thoracic spine is a marvel of joint interaction and complex motion patterns. Composed of a total of 220 separate joints, it makes up the lion’s share of the 313 total joints in the entire spine. With this many interactive articulation it is east to see that maintaining normal joint function, motion and position is important. Chiropractors treat thoracic joint dysfunction with chiropractic adjustments.

There are a variety of chiropractic adjustments techniques that can be used to adjust a dysfunctional joint:

                Most chiropractors employ manual adjusting techniques that utilize precise thrusting adjustments to help normalize joint function.

                Chiropractors can also use softer directional adjusting techniques or adjusting instruments to accommodate the needs of the patient

Thoracic outlet syndrome

Thoracic outlet syndrome is a disorder in which the nerves of the brachial plexus and blood vessels are compressed. This compression can cause great pain and altered sensations such as a “pins and needles” sensation in the hands.

Treatment of thoracic outlet syndrome can include stretching, manual trigger point therapy and myofascial anchor and stretch release techniques to the affected muscles. Chiropractors may also include adjustments and postural instruction.

Thoracic /shoulder dysfunction

The function of the shoulder and the upper back are interrelated. Studies have shown that thrusting manipulations applied to the thoracic spine and ribs have reduced should pain and dysfunction. Chiropractic adjustments to the thoracic region can be beneficial to certain types of should dysfunction.

There are many causes and treatment options for thoracic spine disorders. Chiropractors have a wide range of treatment options for treating these conditions. Chiropractors are increasingly joining collaborative spinal care teams as a drug-free option for treating spinal and musculoskeletal conditions. 

Adapted from Spine-Health.com Newsletter

What Is A Chiropractor?

A chiropractor is a health care professional focused on the diagnosis and treatment of neuro-muscular disorders, with and emphasis on treatment through manual adjustment and/or manipulation of the spine.

Most chiropractors seek to reduce pain and improve the functionality of patients as well as to educate them on how the can account for the own health exercise, ergonomics and other therapies to treat back pain.

Chiropractic is general categorized as alternative medicine or complementary medicine.

Chiropractors: fundamental beliefs and goals

Chiropractors focus on the intimate relationship between the nervous system and spine, and hold true the following beliefs

•                     Bio mechanical and structural derangement of the pine can affect the nervous system

•                     For many conditions chiropractic treatment can restore the structural integrity of the spine, reduce pressure on the sensitive neurological tissue and consequently improve the health of the individual.

 The treatment concept of chiropractic is to re-establish normal spinal mobility, which in turn alleviates the irritation to the spinal nerve and or re-establishes altered reflexes.

Conditions treated

Chiropractors use a variety of non-surgical treatments to treat patients with certain types of:

•                     lower back and leg pain “sciatica”

•                     neck pain

•                     repetitive stains

•                     headaches

•                     sports injuries

•                     arthritic pain

While primarily focusing on treating neuromusculoskeletal disorders, chiropractors are not exclusively limited to problems with the nervous system and musculoskeletal system.

When appropriate, chiropractors refer patients to medical doctors or other health practitioners for treatment of low back pain. Many chiropractors have a local referral network or work together with other spine specialist in a multidisciplinary or multi-specialty spine clinic.

Chiropractic Examination

In many regards, a chiropractic examination is very similar to standard examination procedures administered by all health care providers. With that said, how chiropractors examine the structure and function of the spine and then determine specific chiropractic care from other disciplines.

Chiropractic Exam of lower back pain

An initial chiropractic exam for back pain will typically have three parts: consultation, case history and physical examination. Laboratory analysis and x-ray examination may be performed.

Many chiropractors utilize a holistic bio-mechanical concept of treating the bipedal structure in its entirety, in an attempt to balance the structure from the feet upward.

•                     Chiropractors are typically trained in multiple methods of assessing lower back pain, including:

evaluation and management services – chiropractors are trained in examine the joints, bones, muscles and tendons of the spine, head extremities and other areas of the body with the purpose of noting any misalignment, tenderness, asymmetry, defects or other problems.

•                     Neurologic and other common physical examination procedures- chiropractors are trained to perform a variety of neurologic test (nerve root compression/tension, motor strength, coordination, deep tendon and pathological reflexes, etc) and are skilled in performing orthopedic, cardiovascular and many other common examinations.

•                     Specialized assessment- chiropractors are trained to assess range of motion, stability, muscle strength, muscle tone and other assessments with the lower back

•                     Common diagnostic studies – chiropractors are trained in use of diagnostic studies and tools such as radiography (x-rays), laboratory diagnostics and neurodiagnositics.

Chiropractic Manipulation of the Cervical Spine

Manipulation of the cervical spine or neck region is a common technique utilized by doctors of chiropractic for many patients complaining of neck, upper back and shoulder/arm pain, as well as headaches. Read more about this first line of treatment for cervical spine conditions.

Types of chiropractic manipulation

The goals of cervical adjustment include reduction of pain, improved motion and restored function. There are two general approaches for cervical spine complaints:

1.                  manipulation-often thought of as the traditional chiropractic adjustment, or a high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) technique

2.                  mobilization – which is a more gentle/less forceful adjustment, or a low-velocity, low-amplitude(LVLA) technique moving the joint through a tolerable range of motion.

A combination of the various approaches varies among patients depending on the chiropractors preferred technique the patients comfort and preferences and the patients response to the treatment as well as both past experience and observations made during the course of treatment.

Adjudicative therapies may include massage therapeutic hear and /or cold application, gentle stretching and strengthening exercises and more

The cracking sound

The HVLA manipulation usually results in a release called cavitation which is created in part by gas escaping from the joint capsule when the joint is moved quickly within its passive range of motion, well within its passive range of motion, well within the tissue boundaries.

This type of chiropractic adjustment creates the typical cracking sound that is often associated with joint manipulation. It sounds similar to cracking one's knuckles.

While this cracking description of a chiropractic high velocity, low-amplitude thrust may give an impression of something that is uncomfortable, many patients find the sensation is relieving and may provide immediate relief of painful symptoms.

Gentle mobilization or adjustment?

There are several reasons a chiropractor may recommend gentle (LVLA) chiropractic techniques, such as:

1.                  Patient preference: some patients do not feel comfortable with the traditional high-velocity thrust manipulation and prefer an approach that does not involve twisting their neck or joint “popping”

2.                  Provider experience: some chiropractors may favor one technique and most chiropractors utilize several approaches and often modify and adapt several techniques to the patient’s needs and preferences.

3.                  Contraindications: some patients may not be able to tolerate the traditional chiropractic adjustment based on past experience or a prior injury or condition.

Gentle techniques

If the patient cannot relax or simply dislikes the cracking feeling or sound a gentle form of chiropractic adjustment may be utilized. Some of these methods include a slower technique performed with in the passive range of joint motion.

1.                  Cervical mobilization – the chiropractor manually moves the vertebra in the neck left to right and vice verse, alternating between the side to side motion and a figure 8 movement, applied at varying degrees of moving the head forward, backward, and to the side and in rotation. This is a smooth, non-thrust type of stretch.

2.                  Cervical manual traction- the chiropractor gently pulls on the neck, stretching the cervical spine often varying the angle between flexion (forward) and extension (backward) based on comfort and searching for the correct angle to most efficiently reduce the tightness.

3.                  Cervical “drop” techniques – the chiropractor places a hand and/or finger over the spinal segment requiring the adjustment. A medium to high velocity, low amplitude thrust, or a non-thrust gradual increasing downward pressure is applied until the drop section/ head piece of the table releases and drops a short distance. The goal is to reduce the fixation or restricted motion of the cervical vertebra assisted by the special table.

Typical cervical problems

•                     Mechanical neck pain includes pain generated from muscle, tendons, joint capsules, ligaments and /or the fascia. This type of problem is a common cause of neck pain and stiffness. Most of the time, many of these tissues are simultaneously injured and can cause pain both locally as well as at a distance away from the injury site.

•                     Cervical disc problem – tears can develop in the cervical disc and /or the inside of the disc (the nucleus) can herniate through the outer part (the annulus) and trap or pinch the nerve root as it exits the spine.

•                     Cervical nerve root irritation can frequently refer pain down the arm and into the hand. Usually affecting specific regions such as the 4^th and 5^th digits, the palm side thumb to 3^rd fingers and/ or the back of the hand on the thumb, index finger side of hand depending on which nerve root is irritated.

•                     The above are tow broad examples of types of cervical spine problems that may be treated with cervical spinal manipulation. The patient needs to receive a complete exam prior to cervical manipulation.

Starting an Exercise Ball Program

Many treatment programs for low back pain incorporate use of an exercise ball (also called a stability or fitness ball) to strengthen the core muscles in the stomach and back that support the spine. Exercise ball exercises clearly work and have been adopted in non-rehabilitation exercise programs by athletes and fitness buffs looking to cross-train and strengthen their core muscles.

This article provides several simple steps to choose, get familiar with, and benefit from using an exercise ball on a regular basis.

Choosing the right exercise ball

Physical therapist, exercise trainers, chiropractors and other professionals have constructed several guidelines to use when selecting the proper exercise ball size.

When sitting upright on an exercise ball:

1.       Feet should be flat on the floor with an even weight distribution.

2.       Knees should be level or slightly lower than the pelvis – creating an angle of 90 degrees or slightly greater at the hips and knees (thighs parallel to ground or pointing down slightly).

3.       Pelvis, shoulders and ears should be in a vertical line; the body should not be leaning in any direction as a counter balance. Bouncing up and down lightly will usually produce this alignment.

Exercise balls generally come in five different diametrical sizes to be accordingly used by people of differing body compositions.

It is important to note that height alone is not the only factor in determining ball size. Because the exercise balls are flexible and offer resistance, weight is also an important factor.

A general guideline for height correspondence to diameter of exercise ball is as follows (assuming average body weight is proportional to height):

Ball diameter	Your height
45cm	5’ and under
55cm	5’1” -5’8”
65cm	5’9” -6’2”
75cm	6’3” -6’7”
85 cm	6’8” and taller

If body weight to height or larger than the average proportion, sitting on the exercise ball will compress it down more, so try using the next larger exercise ball size in order to maintain the 90-degree rule. Another factor to keep in mind is that most exercise ball sizes have some adjustability to them. If the angles at the hips and knees are much greater than 90 degrees, some air can be released to compensate and vice versa.

Bear in mind, releasing air from the exercise ball will cause it to lose air pressure. As the ball flattens out, this will actually make it more stable, as it has a larger contact area with the resisting surface and the body. This means that stabilizing and balancing exercises will become easier and will lose some effectiveness.

Exercise balls also lose pressure because of stretching from regular usuage. Therefore, as the ball ages, it may require further inflation. On the other hand, adding excessive air to the exercise ball will increase the difficulty of balancing and stabilizing, as the contact area decreases.

Starting an exercise ball program

Just siting on an exercise ball is active and requires the core body muscles to work to hold the body upright and balance on the ball. Until sitting on the exercise ball feels comfortable, it is often a good idea to not have the ball fully inflated;a slightly deflated exercise ball is more stable.

·         Sit in the center of the ball with both fee firmly on the ground about shoulder width apart, if this is difficult, than us a wider stance.

·         The knees should be in line over the ankles

·         Shoulders should be in line over the body (not hunching forward) and the head squarely over the next (not leaning forward).

One can easily sit on the exercise ball while working at a desk or computer workstation and use it as an alternative to a tradition office chair. Others prefer to sit on it while watching television. Whatever the use, sitting on an exercise ball as some point of the day is helpful to strengthen the core muscles that support the spine.

Beginning stretches

There are several stretches that are easy to do when starting to use an exercise ball. These stretching exercises help with proprioception, of the sense of the position or parts of the body relative to the rest of the body and with balance. Each of these stretches should be done slowly 8 to 12 times.

·         Move the hips from side-to- side. While sitting on the exercise ball (as described above) and keeping the knees still, move the hips gently from side to side. Pause for a second as the end of each sideways movement to allow for a gentle stretch.

·         Move hips from front – to –back. While keeping the knees still, place hands on the knees and rotate the hips forward by tucking the buttocks first under the pelvis and then push them out behind the pelvis. All the motion should be limited to the hip area, not the knees or chest. 

Does Stress Cause Back Pain?

Could my back pain be caused by stress?

No one would disagree that having back and neck pain causes stress, but what about the other way around? Could stress be the primary cause of back pain?

How does stress cause back pain?

There are a variety of theories about the causes of stress related back pain. Importantly, the overriding tenet in all of these theories is that psychological and emotional factors cause some type of physical change resulting in the back pain.

In most theories of stress related back pain, the pain cycle continues and is exacerbated as the pain leads to the patient becoming timid and anxious about daily activities. The pain cycle is characterized by:

                The patient becomes unnecessarily limited in many functions of daily life, as well as leisure activities

                This decrease in activities is due to the patient’s fear of the pain and injury

                This fear may be made worse by admonitions from doctors (and/or family and friends) to “ take it easy” due to some structural diagnosis (which may actually have nothing to do with the back pain)

                The limitations in movement and activity lead to physical reconditioning and muscle weakening, which in turn leads to more back pain

Of course, this cycle results in more pain, more fear, and more physical de-conditioning along with other reactions such as social isolation, depression and anxiety.

The diagnosis of stress related back pain.

The diagnosis of stress related back pain is often made by a through medical history and physical exam. Patients must be cautious in trying to self diagnose stress related back pain, as there may be a serious medical condition (such as a spinal tumor or infection) causing the pain. A good medical examination can usually rule out the more serious structural causes of back pain in a great majority of patients.

For cases of stress-related back pain, the history of onset of back pain is often quite variable. The pain may start with an identifiable incident or it may start insidiously. For instance, it is not uncommon for the pain to start with an incident such as a lower back sprain or strain, only to have it continue as the result of emotional factors long after the injury has healed.

In many cases there may be MRI findings such as a “disc bulge” or “degenerative disc disease” when stress-related back pain is the actual culprit. In theses instances, the MRI findings are not clinically significant and ultimately determined not to be the cause of the pain.

The overall characteristics of stress related back pain include symptoms such as: back pain and or neck pain, diffuse muscle aches, muscle tender points, sleep disturbance and fatigue, in many stress- related back pain cases, patients complain of the pain “moving forward”

In general, symptoms of stress related back pain are similar to those of fibromyalgia. 

Treatments for stress-related back pain.

The multidisciplinary approach to treating stress related back pain includes evaluation of physical,emotional cognitive and environmental factors in all types of back pain problems and develops treatments for each aspect. Thus the multidisciplinary formulation will look at the relative contributions of the following  factors :

•                      physical including de-condition and weak muscles, nerve irritation, etc

•                      emotional including depression, anxiety, anger ,etc

•                      cognitive such as negative thoughts, pessimism, hopelessness, etc.

•                      environmental such as loss of job, financial problems, etc.

This approach then develops a treatment program based upon how much each factor is thought to be influencing the pain. A mulch-disciplinary program may include such treatments as:

•                      treating the physical factors using stretches and exercises recommended by you chiropractor

•                      treating the physical and emotional factors through appropriate medications (often including anti-depressants or muscle relaxants)

•                      treating the emotional and cognitive factors through psychological pain management techniques and biofeedback

The idea of multidisciplinary treatment of back pain has been around for at least 25 years. It has been shown to be quite successful; although, the key factor in treatment outcome is the motivation of the patient to complete a rehabilitation approach.

Preventative Chiropractic Maintenance Care

Here is a question I get weekly, if not daily in my practice… Trust me, being in practice for 26 years, I have had many great questions.

Here is the question…

“Hey Doc, why does this back pain keep coming back?” 

My typical response is: well, there are lifestyle activities that may contribute or help prevent relapses:

1.      Posture

2.      Body Mechanics

3.      Regular Exercise

4.      Nutrition and Hydration

5.      Sleep

I then remind my patients, that those lifestyle decisions are “FREE”. 

Many patients do all of those lifestyle activities very well, some not so much.  Regardless, relapses tend to continue. 

So, let’s talk about the next step - Preventative Chiropractic Maintenance Care

Chiropractic maintenance care is treatment received in order to prevent future pain or health problems, prevent a relapse, and to improve quality of life.  Maintenance care is elective, so that means that the choice is yours!! 

When it comes to receiving chiropractic care, patients can be divided into three groups. 

1.      The first group of patient’s recognizes the benefit of preventative care early on and elects to receive maintenance care after they are helped through their first episode of pain.  These patients take a proactive stance on their health.

2.      The next group of patients may decide that after experiencing three or four flare-ups of pain that they would rather not let their condition to get to that point again! They realize that they do not experience as much pain (or as many health problems) when they receive chiropractic care every 4-6 weeks (for example); regardless if they are experiencing pain at that point or not.

3.      The third group of patients never elects to receive maintenance care and typically stops care once they are feeling better.  They usually reserve going to the chiropractor only when they are in severe pain or when they are experiencing a crisis.  These patients take a reactive stance on health care.  While there is nothing wrong with this approach, it does limit the number of benefits that chiropractic care can provide.  They use chiropractic for pain relief only.  

With all this being said, it is still the patient's decision to receive maintenance care.  We cannot, nor do we desire to force anyone into receiving treatment that they do not want.  We let our patients benefit from chiropractic as long as they want.  However, our job is to educate patients on all treatment options so that they can make an informed decision about their health care.

Research shows that regular chiropractic treatment can prevent degenerative changes ("arthritis") from developing.  There are many other benefits that patients report (anecdotal evidence) from receiving chiropractic care on an occasional basis, even if they are experiencing little to no pain. They are as follows:

1.      Better sleep quality - many patients sleep longer and more soundly after an adjustment.

2.      Fewer muscle spasms and numbness - normal moving spinal joints improves muscle and nerve function.

3.      Better athletic performance- symmetrical joint movement ensures that muscles do not have to strain in order to move a joint.  Many elite athletes promoted regular chiropractic care during the peak of their career: Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Jerry Rice and Joe Montana to name just a few.

4.      Fewer headaches- many report less frequent headaches and migraines and if experienced, they are usually less severe.

5.      Less need for medication- Many chiropractic patients report using less medication after starting care. (Especially pain medication!)

6.      Fewer medical doctor & hospital visits- many of our maintenance patients consider us as the primary resource to manage many common musculoskeletal ailments.  Our Schubbe Resch chiropractors treat all the joints and muscles in the body. If more care is needed, a referral can be made when necessary. 

7.      Easier to Breathe- patients often report that after an adjustment they can take a deep breath again.  Mobilizing the mid back and ribs allows for as much as a 30% increase in lung capacity. Asthmatic patients often find that they have fewer attacks and use less medication when under chiropractic care.

8.      Better circulation- Older patients or sedentary patients report feeling like they have better circulation after receiving treatment

9.      Fewer Surgeries- I wish I could document how many patients have dodged a lower back or neck surgery as a result of regular chiropractic care.  Having said that, how many surgeries have occurred due to a decision not to have regular chiropractic care.  It’s like taking vitamins; we will never know what regular positive lifestyle decisions prevent…

     Fewer Health Care Costs- Let’s face it, medical care is expensive.  Being unhealthy is expensive.  Patients are facing higher insurance costs than ever.  High deductibles and co-pays are now the norm.  Relatively speaking, ethical quality chiropractic care is very affordable.  Maintaining your health and preventing future health conditions will save you money and improve the quality of your life.

As you can see, there are many benefits of receiving chiropractic care on a maintenance schedule.  However, the decision to receive preventative maintenance is always up to the patient.  Whatever you decide, we'll respect that decision.

Insurance companies may or may not cover chiropractic maintenance care.  It depends on your insurance plan and your diagnosis.  In the event your insurance does not cover maintenance, both Schubbe Resch offices have “Day of Service Payment Plans” to help make the care affordable.

Please consider Preventative Chiropractic Maintenance Care